Sukma: Nine CRPF personnel martyred in naxal attack

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Nine Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were today martyred after suspected Naxals blew up their mine-protected vehicle in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma, around a year after a dozen jawans were killed in a similar ambush in the district.

Officials said the incident took place around 12:30 pm along the Kistaram-Palodi road of the district when the troops of the 212th battalion of the CRPF were out on an operation.

At least nine men have been killed, while two other jawans suffered injuries after a mine-protected vehicle was blown up by multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) concealed under the dirt track, a senior official said. The injured personnel are being airlifted to Raipur, they said.

The rebels used a lot of explosives to blow up the vehicle, a state police official said.

Soon after the incident, reinforcements were rushed to the spot, around 500 km from state capital Raipur, he said, adding further details were awaited.

Officials added that the first encounter between the two sides took place at 8 am and later this contingent was targeted by the Maoists.

Twelve personnel of the force were killed on March 11 last year in the Bheji area of the district and their arms looted when Naxals ambushed their patrol party.

A few days later on April 24, 25 personnel of the paramilitary were killed in a similar ambush in Sukma.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh in a tweet message expressed his grief over the Sukma blast saying, “Today's IED blast in Sukma, Chhattisgarh is deeply distressing. I bow to each and every security personnel who attained martyrdom while serving the nation.”

He expressed his condolences on twitter saying, “My heartfelt condolences to the families of those personnel who lost their lives in Sukma blast. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans. I spoke to DG crpf regarding the Sukma incident and asked him to leave for Chhattisgarh.”

President Ram Nath Kovind too has expressed sadness over the death of the CRPF soldiers. In a tweet he said, “Anguished at the attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. India salutes the CRPF personnel who lost their lives while doing their duty to keep us safe. Condolences to the bereaved families. We remain firm in our resolve to take on and defeat all forms of terrorism #PresidentKovind”

PM Modi tweeted his condolences saying, “India salutes the brave @crpfindia personnel who were martyred in the attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the brave martyrs. The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this hour of grief.”

The Sukma attack on Tuesday is neither an isolated one.nor without precedent. Concerted efforts by the centre has boosted security and reduced violence but there is still lots to be done to completely eradicate the menace of naxal terror that prevails in this area.